Staff Handbook - Policies and Procedures

• where the child is adopted, be married to, or the partner of, the child’s adopter; • have or expect to have responsibility (or if not the child’s father, main responsibility apart from the mother) for the child’s upbringing. We require that you provide an SC3 or SC4 self-certificate as evidence that you meet these eligibility conditions. You are not entitled to take paternity leave if: • in birth cases if you have already taken any shared parental leave in respect of the child, or • in adoption cases, if you have already taken any shared parental leave in respect of the child, if you have exercised you right to take to take paid time off work to attend adoption appointments in respect of the child, or if you have already taken paternity leave in relation to the child as a result of the child being placed with a prospective adopter who is at the time of the placement your spouse, civil partner or partner. Length of paternity leave If eligible you are entitled to choose to take either one week or two consecutive weeks’ paternity leave (not odd days). You decide whether to have just one week or a fortnight. You cannot take a week at • after the date of the child’s birth (whether this is earlier or later than expected), or • from a chosen date. Leave can start on any day of the week on or following the child’s birth but must be completed: • within 56 days of the actual date of birth of the child, or • if the child is born early, within the period from the actual date of birth up to 56 days after the expected week of birth. Only one period of leave will be available to you irrespective of whether more than one child is born as the result of the same pregnancy. Statutory Paternity Pay During paternity leave, most of you will be entitled to Statutory Paternity Pay (“SPP”) from us. Statutory Paternity Pay will be paid for either one or two consecutive weeks as you have chosen. However if you have average weekly earnings below the Lower Earnings Limit for National Insurance purposes you will not qualify for SPP. Notice of intention to take paternity leave You must tell us of your intention to take paternity leave by the fifteenth week before the baby is expected, or no more than seven days after the date that the adopter was notified of being matched with the child, unless this is not reasonably practicable. You must tell us as soon as it is reasonably practicable. We need to know: one time and another week later. You can choose to start the leave:

the week the baby is due, or

•

Family Friendly Policy: 24-06-24

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